Etsy Seller Interview with Jocelyn of FoxandFowlUK

How FoxandFowlUK got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

I've always had a passion for fabrics and interior design. I embarked on setting up my own creative business, inspired by friends and family who had done the same. I started Fox and Fowl in 2017 with a love of simple, classic Scandinavian design. I began by selling cushions, bags, and draft excluders. I liked the idea of matching lampshades, but after doing some research, I discovered that there weren't many options for Scandinavian fabric shades. So, I started my lampshade collection, and I really saw the business grow. Lampshades now form the majority of my Etsy sales. I also make doorstops, cosmetic bags, clocks, glasses cases, and toiletry bags. I source design fabrics locally and create everything myself by hand.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

My new range of lampshades is one of my favorite items at the moment, and I’m excited to pair them with cushions and photograph them in room sets. I sourced the fabrics in France recently in a little design shop, so they’re totally unique designs that you wouldn’t find elsewhere. These are selling well, but it takes time for new items to establish themselves as best sellers and appear higher in Etsy searches.

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

I think it was probably a few weeks before I had my first sale; it started off slowly but built up over time as I amassed sales and reviews. I’m active on social media and enrolled in Offsite ads, although I don’t do any additional marketing currently. One of the most important things for me is building customer loyalty. I try to provide the best customer service I can. Whenever customers contact me, I respond within 24 hours and go the extra mile if I can to help with suggestions and advice.

Managing FoxandFowlUK 

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

All the management and order fulfillment is done by me, and I find the Etsy Seller App helps me stay on top of orders and dispatch dates. I prioritize sewing and making during the day when my kids are at school and nursery, and tend to do admin and packaging in the evenings. I use Canva to create social media posts as well as any leaflet or marketing material. 

The future of FoxandFowlUK  

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

I’m hoping to grow the business over the next year as my second child heads off to school and I have more time to dedicate to it. I plan to keep expanding the product line with new fabrics and items. Sustainability is also important to me; currently, my packaging is recyclable, and I’m trying to be as paperless as possible in my record-keeping and administration. I make use of fabric offcuts by either making smaller items or donating the leftover fabric to a school textile group.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

List as many items as possible; the more items you have in your shop (I have 100+), the more likely you are to be discovered. Checking that your listing tags are getting your products found on a regular basis Finally, to build customer rapport, I like to go out of my way to be helpful and accommodate any requests customers might have.